Coming to a DD race? Here's what to expect

**harriebird** · 08 Apr 08, 02:11 PM

OK, a few people have asked what goes on for spectators.

You need a ticket to get in - a friendly DD racer may have a spare, if not it's about £10. This admits you to the paddock area and anywhere else you choose to watch from. Strictly speaking you need a pit pass to be in the pitlane but this isnt often enforced.

Children are welcome but there's not always much for them to do so if they're not that keen on bikes then they may not have the greatest of days. The paddock is a busy area with people on bikes and cars moving around regularly, so keep your eyes peeled. Dogs are not permitted (except at Lydden!) under any circumstances.

Scrutineering is normally until about 10am on race day, some organised souls are up and through by 7.45am but others are still running around with gaffer tape and dog tags at 9.55am.

Then it's timed practice for 15 minutes or so.

There are normally 2 x 8 lap races per DD class, at some point between 10am and 5pm.

Many of the DDers enter other races to get extra track time or start practice. In these races we may be out with anything up to 1098s (in Sound of Thunder) or CB500s which can make life interesting.

You don't need to bring anything other than yourself and your pompoms really, there is normally a cafe and if you're lucky an ice cream van. Cakes and sweeties are much appreciated of course. and you have to cheer lots.

it's a great place to catch up with people and watch some great racing. The racing schedule is normally packed and pretty varied, and there really is something for all bike lovers.

Here's a list of which number is whose

2008 DesmoDue Racer Index

so keep your eyes out and make sure you introduce yourself, don't hang around and say nowt and then complain no-one spoke to you!

Look forward to seeing some of you soon - but be warned you may end up trawling ebay for a race bike before you know it.....1,2,3 back in the room....oh actually, you're on the grid and the lights just went out!

**zimbo** · 08 Apr 08, 04:17 PM

nice one Harrie

**Kenoir** · 08 Apr 08, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harriebird

you may end up trawling ebay for a race bike before you know it.....

Oh bug**r, I've been rumbled!

**Steve GD** · 08 Apr 08, 04:56 PM

Harrie, that post has needed doing for a while. Well done for recognising it and making such a good job of it.

**ducbird** · 08 Apr 08, 05:43 PM

reading through harrie got me all excited for the next
DD race...8)
I really enjoyed my first one
will bring some goodies this time with me though to share
around the paddock

now back to ebay.....

**Imola Duke** · 08 Apr 08, 06:51 PM

Great post Harrie

Yep come and say hello and keep a eye on the desmodue section for free tickets, I may have 2 tickets going spare for Oulton.

**CK & AK** · 08 Apr 08, 07:11 PM

Good work there Harrie

a couple of things to add to etiquette: (and am sorry but they are a bit negative, but it does happen & folks have been a bit put out - sponsors, visitors & racers alike)

Please dont get the hump if racers seem unwilling to chat - they might just be having 2 mins to themselves to collect their brains together, just before going out to race. (or dashing off for another pee!)
Its lovely having folks along, but if someone is having a problem or sorting a problem they might need a bit of space to do this. Whilst its great to look down the barrells or get in close to a broken bike, you might be in the way - so do ask first. (nobody likes to appear rude & tell people to clear off, but it can really slow mechanics/racers down in the paddock when up against it, if bods are under their feet).
Even the best mechanics might forget something in the 'thick of it' - even simple things like refuelling their bike if distracted, so do wait till they are finished with the task they are involved with, if possible.
Best time to say 'hi' & stop for a proper natter (we find) is about an hour or more before a race, at the start of lunch break or soon after the first race, tho please dont dump your bike gear/lunch/auntie Flo or the baby twin kittens in the buggy, in the gazebo/van/around the racebike or sit in chairs without asking first.
The gazebo/garage is there for the racebike & racer, not for 21 mates & relatives to shelter in, when its wet, so do take your brolly too - and ask if its ok to come in, first.

The above might be quite contentious points for some people, but we have found on occasions that all the above have been a bit of nightmare on (very) rare occasions.

To sum up - its blinking GREAT to have supporters (we love having you along) - just do remember the riders/mechanics are also there to race

**harriebird** · 08 Apr 08, 08:00 PM

good one C, needed saying and gently done so.

group hug everyone

**Kenoir** · 08 Apr 08, 08:08 PM

Wise words CK or AK (not sure which).

Hopefully, you'll have a stress free race and do really well. If you need a hand and I'm around, just ask. I have the utmost respect for you guys (girls especially), so there'll be no getting in the way or abusing hospitality from me.

I'm thinking about, toying with the idea of possibly, maybe.......... looking for a DD bike for 2009 or 2010.... I didn't just say that out loud did I? So it'd be nice to check out the action.

Anyway, thought I'd pop along and say hi to a few peeps whilst you're in my neck of the woods.

Good luck all, hope to see you saturday

**Imola Duke** · 08 Apr 08, 10:04 PM

At the Mallory round about 1/2hr before the race i was going threw my pre race thing i have
developed checking everything on the bike and thinking about lines, gears etc and trying to
calm my churning belly lol.... My Dad came along and started chating to me about the motoGP
result..... he soon realised i took zilt in.... He left and said ... "guess your a little occupied Steve"
See you after the race and off he went... with time to reflect and chatting to him over the last week
he was crappin himself as much as me...lol
So sorry to others who came to visit who i didn't come and chat to

**harriebird** · 09 Apr 08, 07:23 AM

i always find i just want to hold someone's hand before a race! i don't even care whose it is

**Lily** · 09 Apr 08, 08:05 AM

I find that generally I am always chatty, but there is a very good chance that whilst I may appear to be talking to you I am not payign the slightest bit of attention and will wander off distracted... If I do.. sorry!!

**Montana** · 10 Apr 08, 09:56 AM

Different people react in different ways a far as preparation to a race.

While me and my best friend are similar in a lot of ways, when it came to racing we couldn't have been more different.We didn't do anything as flash or expensive as the DD class, we actually both passengered for left hand Grasstrack outfits.Just before a race (in the pitbox), I would be chatty and walking around, my mate would just sit on the bike perfectly still, if you didn't know you would think he was asleep.If we were in the same race it would be dreadfull, as I would want to talk, and he would ignore me, so I would try even more, but wouldn't succeed.

So, the advice is brilliant to anyone that has never been around anyone who hasn't raced before.It maybe different types of racing and different circumstances but it seems as though the reactions of riders etc seems to be exactly the same.

The best time to speak to people (and get any kind of sence out of them) is after scrutineering up to an hour before the race, lunch(or extended break) and after the rider has finished racing for the day.Please be mindfull that as some riders maybe ok with talking how their day went, others will always be a bit offish, especially if their day hasn't gone to plan.

Andy

**harriebird** · 10 Apr 08, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montana

We didn't do anything as flash or expensive as the DD class, we actually both passengered for left hand Grasstrack outfits.

ermmm......have you been to a DD race?! i would hardly describe some of the bikes as flash or expensive

**Montana** · 10 Apr 08, 10:56 AM

At least your riding on tarmac , lol

I haven't yet been to a DD meeting, come to think of it I haven't been to a race track since I was 10, so I should really think about it soon, hehehe. All joking aside, I haven't been to a track since my uncle stopped racing, and that's where my fascination for bikes came from, but until last year hadn't had the oppotunities to pass a test and get a bike of my own, also having for many years NO bike friends hinders things.

Andy